Museum Of Art's Director To Resign After Three Years

September 13, 2001|By Matt Schudel Arts Writer

For the second time in four years, the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale is in search of a director. Kathleen Harleman, who has led the museum for the past three years, announced to her staff Wednesday that she will resign her position next month.

Harleman joined the museum in October 1998, signing a three-year contract for the joint post of director and chief executive officer. The museum's board of governors offered her another three-year contract, but Harleman decided she "wasn't really ready to sign on for another two to three years."

"The museum is in a much better place than it was three years ago, and this is a tribute to Kathleen," said Louise Dill, president of the museum's board of governors. "It's been a pleasure to work with her. Kathleen's shoes will be a challenge to fill."

The 48-year-old Harleman, who has an MBA as well as degrees in art history, assumed the leadership of Broward County's largest museum after being the associate director of the Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Before that, she had spent 12 years in museums in Canada. A native of New England, she plans to leave the area, but does not yet have another position.

"I feel I've learned an incredible amount here," Harleman said Wednesday in an interview in her office. "Collectively, we've been able to accomplish so much."

During her tenure in Fort Lauderdale, the museum had its two most popular exhibitions ever, "Impressionism to the Present: Camille Pissarro and His Descendants" and "Palace of Gold & Light: Treasures from the Topkapi, Istanbul." The privately run museum has an annual budget of $2.9 million, and attendance in the past year was just less than 100,000. The Topkapi blockbuster, which ran from October 2000 through February, drew 55,000 visitors, the most for a single show since the Museum of Art opened in 1958.

On March 1, the museum opened a new $2.9 million wing to house its collection of works by the American painter William Glackens, the largest such collection in the world.

When she arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Harleman said one of her first goals was to create a solid mission for the museum. Some have questioned whether that goal has been achieved. Many artists were angered two years ago when Harleman discontinued one of the museum's longstanding annual projects, the Hortt exhibition. Earlier this month, the weekly newspaper City Link called the MOA a "museum in search of an identity." Harleman brought a variety of unconventional exhibitions to the museum -- including shows on lawns and giant puppets -- that reflect her inclusive approach to art.

"I want people to be surprised," she said. "Our choice of exhibitions is an attempt to question the point at which art and life meet. We're choosing projects that get people to think about the role of art and issues in their day-to-day life."

One of Harleman's favorite projects was a partnership program with the North Andrews Gardens Elementary School, in which students took many of their courses at the museum.

Harleman is well-liked by her staff, and everyone agreed that her departure is entirely voluntary. She said she spent "a few months" trying to decide whether to stay with the museum or move on.

"The board did try to talk me out of it," she said.

Even though she plans to put her house up for sale, Harleman said she has grown fond of South Florida.

"I think it's a pretty fascinating place, as far as artists are concerned," she said. "I want to give my thanks to this community for making this such an exultant time," she said.

The museum is launching a nationwide search for a replacement. Harleman's future plans are uncertain, although she plans to continue her career in art museums.

"I'm looking at this as a chance to catch my breath," she said. "I'm not worried. It's kind of exciting."

Matt Schudel can be reached at mschudel@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4689.